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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it normal to bang your door into a parked car?

81 replies

Whoistheunderdog · 11/05/2016 14:32

NC for this.

Today I went to the supermarket and parked my car. It wasn't full, and there were loads of spaces to the right of me. The car parked to the left pulled out just as I switched off the engine leaving a gap which was immediately filled. I was just about to get out of my car when the driver of the newly parked car banged her door open. It was quite hard and so I got out to have a look, and there was a tiny mark but nothing that a good polish wouldn't sort out if I could be bothered enough to. It was raining and the woman strode quickly ahead. So I caught up with her and politely asked if she knew she had hit my car. She had a smile on her face but said quite forcefully "really? Are you serious? Loads of people hit the car next to them when they open the door." and walked off. I was so stunned that I did my best impression of a goldfish for a few moments standing in the rain. Then I pulled myself together and got on with my shop.

It's still bugging me though. Because if I ever accidentally hit a car with my door, with someone in it, I would naturally hold up my hand and say sorry if they looked up. Also it would have been understandable if there hadn't been enough room between our cars but there was plenty of room, maybe not enough for her to open the door fully but that's normal in a parking bay situation isn't it?

In any case it wasn't that she hit my car that bothered me. I really couldn't care less as there's barely a scratch. but her attitude? AIBU?

OP posts:
kiwimumof2boys · 12/05/2016 10:30

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago! parked in a very narrow carpark and very slowly opened the door - and lightly tapped the car next to me. Old posh bag in the car went ballistic! accused me of damaging her car, I ended up shouting 'sorry' then just walking away. She kept screaming, and when I got home I left a msg on the non-urgent police number answerphone. Silly old bag.

Arkwright · 12/05/2016 10:44

Not normal in real life but from previous threads it's normal on mumsnet. I had 2 children under 2 at one time and never did it.

lljkk · 12/05/2016 10:52

I was sitting in our old banger once as a family got into the car next to me... the adults banged their doors into my car at least 4 x. It was hilarious & I didn't fuss as my car was on way to knacker's yard... but honestly!! How oblivious could they be? My car was parked correctly. The spaces are small which I'm sympathetic about... that's why we had a car with sliding doors.

I park my nice car at empty far end of carparks sometimes, to avoid this risk from others.

wasonthelist · 12/05/2016 11:09

lightly tapped the car next to me. Old posh bag in the car went ballistic! accused me of damaging her car,

So being old and posh are pejorative terms now?

Did you damage her car?

Arkwright · 12/05/2016 11:12

kiwi you were lucky she didn't report you for causing damage.

SirChenjin · 12/05/2016 11:18

Agree Lupo.

I remember that thread - occasionally it's not possible to get in and out of a car without your door touching another lightly. It doesn't necessarily cause damage - it's just one of the things you have to accept as a car owner using a public car park. Vast difference between that and another door being banged open onto yours - I've been on the receiving end of both, the former left no mark, the latter leaves anything between a paint mark and a dent.

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